The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns over the pricing disparity between petrol produced by the newly reopened Port Harcourt Refinery and that of the Dangote Refinery.
According to PETROAN’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Joseph Obele, petrol supplied by the Port Harcourt Refinery is priced ₦75 per litre higher than Dangote Refinery’s product.
Dr. Obele disclosed this during the official reopening of the Port Harcourt Refinery, which resumed operations on Tuesday with a production capacity of 60,000 barrels per day.
The event marked a significant milestone in the federal government’s effort to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
While applauding the government for revitalizing the refinery, Dr. Obele expressed concerns about the pricing disparity.
He revealed that petrol from the Dangote Refinery is sold to marketers at ₦970 per litre, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) supplies petrol at ₦1,045 per litre.
He described the ₦75 price differential as a steep margin for businesses, particularly in an industry where profitability hinges on competitive pricing.
“This gap poses challenges for marketers who need to compete in a tight market,” he added.
Dr. Obele, who previously chaired the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) at the Port Harcourt Depot, stated that the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, has promised to address the issue.
Kyari assured stakeholders that efforts would be made to harmonize prices to mitigate the impact on marketers and consumers.
Stakeholders across the petroleum sector have welcomed the refinery’s restoration, viewing it as a significant step toward enhancing local production capacity and reducing reliance on imports.
However, PETROAN’s concerns underscore the need for continuous reforms to stabilize the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
As the Port Harcourt Refinery resumes operations, many are hopeful that challenges such as pricing disparities will be resolved promptly to ensure fair competition and affordability for consumers.